Detection of Biocides Resistance Genes among Clinical Isolates of Both Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Sensitive Strains of Staphylococcus Aureus

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Biocides compounds are widely used in infection control programs, including hand washing and skin decolonization before invasive procedures. However, its overuse leads to the emergence of Staphylococcus aureus with decreased biocides susceptibility, which became a problem in hospitals in different parts of the world. AIM OF THE WORK:The present work aims to study the susceptibility of methicillin-resistant isolates of staphylococci aureus, obtained from different clinical samples to commonly used biocides, determines the prevalence of the biocide resistance genes, qacA/B, and qacC, among these isolates. METHODS:Biocide's resistance genes [qacA/B, qacC] in Both Methicillin-Resistant and Methicillin-Sensitive Strains of Staphylococcus aureus were detected by PCR method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] of Biocide agents were determined by broth dilution method, whereas antibiotic susceptibility was analyzed by disk diffusion and MICs methods according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] criteria. RESULTS: The frequency of Biocides resistance genes [qacA/B, qacC] was found to be high in our clinical staphylococci isolates. The qacA/B gene was detected in [63.3%] of MRSA isolates compared with only [23.3%] of MSSA isolates. Simultaneously, the qacC gene was detected in [63.3%] of MRSA isolates compared to only [13.3 %] of MSSA isolates., with the significant difference between both groups [P<0.05]. We also found an association between the presence of antiseptic resistance genes qacA/B, and increased MIC values to both savlon, hypochlorite, and Phenol [P<0.05]. We also showed that an association between the presence of antiseptic resistance genes qacC and the MICs to both savlon, hypochlorite, and Phenol [P<0.05]. CONCLUSION: Our study detects biocide resistance genes [qacA/B, qacC] in Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Egypt; more studies are needed to correct the biocide uses and to support infection control programs to avoid the development of new resistance mechanisms.

Biocides as Biomedicines against Foodborne Pathogenic Bacteria

“…Furthermore, in vitro results showed that sublethal concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or biocides based on hydrogen peroxide were responsible for the transfer of prophage Φ13 from human S. aureus donor strain to livestock-associated MRSA CC398 61599 recipient strain. Clinically relevant isolates (MRSA and MSSA) can encode biocide resistance genes such as qac A/B and qac C [ 100 ]. An illustration of biocide resistance was described in S. aureus strains isolated from clinical samples from Egypt and showed that the presence of qacA/B genes caused increased MICs of sodium hypochlorite, phenol, and Savlon (chlorhexidine digluconate 0.3% and cetrimide 3%).…”